The new law takes effect on Sunday, July 24, 2011, but it is likely that same-sex couples will not actually be able to get married until July 25 or July 26 for two reasons.

First, state law requires couples to wait 24 hours after receiving a license before they can be married, unless they obtain a judicial waiver. So while July 24 may be the first day that same-sex couples can file marriage license applications, they must wait another day to get married. The State Department of Health, which provides directives to local clerks, has not yet indicated whether it will allow licenses to be obtained prior to July 24 so that couples can actually be married on that date. Notably, however, the New York City Clerk’s Office will not begin issuing licenses until July 24. Please check back for updates as news develops; we will post new information here.

Second, since July 24 is a Sunday, it is unclear whether any clerks’ offices around the state will be open. The best way to find out is to call your clerk’s office directly. We will post updates when we learn of particular offices that plan to open that Sunday.